Wed, Sep 05, 2007
Alleged Targets Included Frankfurt Airport, US Army Base
German authorities say they've
arrested three men accused of planning "massive" terrorist attacks
on several targets used by US citizens in that country.
Bloomberg reports two German men and one Turkish national were
detained Tuesday at a house in Oberschledorn, in the west German
state of North Rhine-Westphalia. Bomb components and detonators
were also seized, along with hydrogen peroxide-based liquid
explosives said to be equivalent to 550 kilograms of TNT.
The men are believed to be members of a local cell of the
Islamist terrorist organization Jihad Union, which has been
connected to al-Qaeda, said Chief Federal Prosecutor Monika Harms.
She called the men's plot "one of the worst terror acts ever
planned in Germany."
"We've said repeatedly for months that Germany is in the sights
of Islamist terrorism and that we have to be vigilant," she
added.
The men reportedly planned to attack sites in Germany popular
with US citizens, including bars and discos. At least on official
said the men also planned to attack transport centers, including
Frankfurt Airport and US army barracks at Hanau, with car
bombs.
Another target may have been Ramstein Air Base, according to
DPA.
"The main motivation of the group in Germany was hatred of
American citizens," said Joerg Ziercke, head of the Federal
Criminal Office.
Officials wouldn't confirm the alleged plot might have been tied
to the upcoming sixth anniversary of the September 11, 2001
terrorist attacks in the US... although Federal Prosecutor Rainer
Griesbaum admitted that may have represented "a certain motivation
boost."
More News
Known Traffic With respect to ATC clearances, means aircraft whose altitude, position, and intentions are known to ATC.>[...]
Aero Linx: Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA) Established February 25, 1993, the Aviation Suppliers Association (ASA), based in Washington, D.C., is a not-for-profit association,>[...]
Abeam An aircraft is “abeam” a fix, point, or object when that fix, point, or object is approximately 90 degrees to the right or left of the aircraft track. Abeam indic>[...]
Aero Linx: The Air Charter Safety Alliance The group, called the Air Charter Safety Alliance, will raise awareness of illegal charter flights among potential customers, charter bro>[...]
“For months, ALPA has been sounding the alarm on the ongoing efforts by some aircraft manufacturers to remove pilots from the flight deck and replace them with automation. To>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (06.10.24): Known Traffic
See All